Bangalore: With the city experiencing a fresh bout of heavy rain this week, it has got back its label of being the "wheezing and sneezing city".

The sudden change in weather coupled with the rising pollution levels have lead to an increase in the incidence of asthma and bronchitis cases reported at city hospitals and clinics.

According to authorities at the Victoria Hospital, at least 10 per cent of the out-patients visiting the hospital in the last one week have been asthmatic or have suffered a bronchitis attack. "The fresh rain, and the dust and smoke have resulted in a rise in cases of Chronic Obstructive Airway Diseases (COPD), including bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. We have examined many patients who have suffered severe attacks and some were admitted to the hospital in a serious condition where the lungs were badly affected," said K.R. Ravindra from the Department of Medicine at Victoria Hospital said.

The first rain cause the smoke and dust to rise and do not allow it to settle down triggering bronchial spasms in people who are susceptible to allergic reactions.

Dr. Ravindra added that going out in bad weather may set off a sudden bout of respiratory problems in some people. "It is better to keep yourself warm especially in the night time as there may be a dip in temperature, triggering an asthma attack," he said.

Chronic bronchitis mostly affects men and is usually caused owing to air pollution and smoking. Bronchial asthma is seen commonly among children, which may be brought about by viral infections common during the rain.

WHO report

The Global Burden of Asthma Report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) reveals that "the burden of asthma is becoming greater as communities adopt western lifestyles and become urbanised".

According to Padma Sundaram, consultant pulmonologist at Manipal Hospital, various factors may contribute to the rise in asthma cases.

"We see an increased number of such cases during this time of the year because of the rain. The environment allergen and pollen load coupled with the change in weather conditions may be responsible for the increased incidence of asthma and other respiratory disorders such as allergic bronchitis.

"If one is genetically predisposed to the illness, triggers such as exposure to pollen, smoke and dust, may cause asthma," said Dr. Padma.

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